Feilden+Mawson were approached by Congham Hall Hotel, with the initial concepts for the Orchard Cabins drawn up within a year of this initial contact. At the beginning of 2021, the hotel returned to the designers asking them to revisit the project as they were now ready to build the cabins, just in time to celebrate the hotel’s 10th anniversary under the renowned hotelier, Nicholas Dickinson.

Both the exterior and interior of the cabins have been inspired by the apple orchard it is located in, including materials associated with the shipping of apples, such as light-coloured tactile timber and other natural materials. The physical framework of the cabins is strong in colour and form, and this stands as a picturesque comparison to the soft and welcoming interior, overall demonstrating the strength of having both the interior design and the architecture offered by a single company.

Each 55m2 cabin has its own private door with a spacious bedroom, sitting area, and ensuite bathroom. A quirky highlight of the cabins is the freestanding bathtubs outside for an experience of ‘star bathing’, paired with a painted indoor bath. The carpets and paintings are also inspired by the local surroundings, with the elegant contemporary interiors featuring specially commissioned artwork by local artist Jenny Lovatt, and the rugs made by Claire Gaudion. Each cabin exhibits a slightly different colour scheme based on the colours in the rug. The interiors exude a calming, cosy, and ethereal feel.